Bradford Council blocks demolition of 'landmark' mill building

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 06:35 · Archive

Bradford Council has refused an application to demolish a four-storey building at Vale Mill, a 19th-century mill complex near Oakworth Station. The refusal came after the council's conservation officer Jon Ackroyd said the unlisted building was a 'landmark presence' that should be treated as part of the wider listed mill complex and protected accordingly.

The application, submitted by Jonathan Heaton, sought to demolish sections of the mill as part of proposals to redevelop the site for housing. While a Grade II listed section of the mill would have been retained and converted, the plans included demolition of the four-storey unlisted building. The mill complex, built in the early 19th century for John Greenwood, was given its listed status in 1986 and at its height employed more than 110 people.

The application stated that the buildings were in poor condition and had deteriorated over time. It noted the site would become vacant by the end of 2026, increasing the risk of vandalism and complications maintaining building insurance. The application also cited planned asbestos removal work that would further weaken some structures.

However, the council's refusal report stated that Ackroyd had identified the four-storey building as making 'an important contribution to the historic group and as a landmark presence within the landscape'. Officers said the building could not be demolished under permitted development rules and that 'compelling justification' would be required for its loss. The mill complex is located on Vale Mill Lane on the border of Cross Roads and Oakworth, next to the junction with Mytholmes Lane.

How it is being reported

• Bid to demolish 'landmark' mill in Brontë Country blockedA bid to demolish a “landmark” mill building has been blocked after a conservation officer argued that it should have similar protection to a neighbouring listed building.Yorkshire Post · 29 Oct, 07:54
• Bid to demolish 'landmark' four storey mill building in Oakworth blockedThe application to demolish the building has now been refused by Bradford Council.Keighley News · 29 Oct, 05:00
• Bid to demolish 'landmark' four storey mill building blocked - here's whyThere had been two objections to the application.Telegraph & Argus · 29 Oct, 03:00
• Council blocks demolition of 'landmark' millConservation officers say the mill building is a landmark feature and should be protected.BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire · 28 Oct, 21:38

In this story: Vale Mill · Bradford Council · Jon Ackroyd · Jonathan Heaton · Oakworth · John Greenwood

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